FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT JAMES DENTON - PAGE 3

U.S. women's national team goalkeeper Hope Solo will throw out the first pitch before the Cubs-St. Louis Cardinalds game at Wrigley Field Sunday. Solo helped lead the U.S. to the Women's World Cup Finals in July. "Desperate Housewives" actor James Denton will throw out the first pitch and sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at Saturday's Cubs-Cardinals game. NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson will throw out the first pitch before Thursday's Cubs-Atlanta Braves game and Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service frontman Ben Gibbard will sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game.

- Former Chicagoan James Denton has a theory why "Desperate Housewives" didn't get an Emmy nomination for best comedy. Denton, who plays plumber Mike Delfino on the ABC series, said he thinks "Housewives" falls "between the cracks" when it comes to Emmy categories. "I don't think the show is a pure comedy or pure drama and last year, particularly, it was very dark," Denton said. "So, when you're nominating yourself or presenting yourself as a comedy, there's certainly funnier shows on television, as a pure comedy."

Not all couples are parting ways this holiday season. Elton John says he and partner David Furnish are planning a "very small" ceremony next month to seal their civil partnership under new British legislation offering gays many of the legal protections available to married heterosexuals. John is quoted in Attitude magazine as saying the Dec. 21 ceremony will be a "family affair." Brady bunch Love is in the air for "My Fair Brady" stars Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry, who are planning a wedding with VH1 recording every detail.

One thing the stars of "Desperate Housewives" aren't desperate for is a wardrobe. So they're giving it away. The women of Wisteria Lane have launched the Clothes Off Our Covers charity, through which outfits worn by the actresses on magazine shoots will be given to charity to raise money. "Housewives" stars Teri Hatcher, Nicollette Sheridan and Eva Longoria, along with the neighborhood's resident hunk James Denton, announced the new charity Tuesday night at a Los Angeles party for InStyle.

12:30 P.M. FRIDAY The Bold and the Beautiful CBS Guess B&B couldn't afford any "American Idol" winners -- but it did land Elliot Yamin and Constantine Maroulis. 7 P.M. Miss Teen USA NBC Mario Lopez hosts while Joey Lawrence acts as judge. I predict a dance-off. 9 P.M. Psych USA Shawn and Gus could get outwitted when they pose as lecturers at a school for prodigies. Shut Up and Sing Starz CINEMA When the Dixie Chicks took a pot shot at President Bush, the country music establishment banished them -- until they won a load of Grammys this year.

By Liz Crokin and Liz Crokin is a RedEye special contributor. Read her eyecontact column in RedEye on Mondays | December 1, 2007

As part of my job covering celebrities, I've sat at some amazing tables with some amazing people. Among the best spots and experiences: At Gibsons, one of my favorite Chicago restaurants, I've sat at tables across from Vince Vaughn and George Clooney, among others. There are several great tables there; my faves are the booths. Tavern on Rush has a few key tables in a small VIP section in its lounge area, where I've enjoyed cocktails with some of the hunky boys from "Desperate Housewives," including James Denton and Jesse Metcalfe.

"The Playboy Club" actress Jenna Dewan hit Paris Club Friday with friends, including co-star David Krumholtz. Dewan and co-star Laura Benanti had dinner, separately, at Sunda Saturday. "Entourage" star Jeremy Piven hit Paris Club and Sunda Thursday. The Plain White T's dined at Paris Club Friday and hung out at The Underground. On Saturday, NBA Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler was spotted at Paris Club, as were the Cubs' Randy Wells and Matt Garza. Teammate Carlos Pena dined with his wife and brother-in-law at Café Ba-Ba-Reeba Thursday.

Prince Charles' London office on Saturday night denied that his son, Prince Harry, was involved in a scuffle with a photographer as he left a nightclub, The Associated Press reports. The young royal allegedly lashed out at a paparazzi as he left popular celebrity haunt Boujis in central London early Saturday. Harry is shown in several Sunday newspapers apparently stumbling to the ground and being helped to his feet. In another picture, he is seen standing behind photographer Nirach Tanner, who claims the prince attempted to assault him. Prince Harry is often closely followed by paparazzi as he visits London nightclubs or bars in an effort to catch him in uncompromising situations.